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Accurate Monitoring (accurate + monitoring)
Selected AbstractsEvaluation of cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell reconstitution in patients after various allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation using interferon- , -enzyme-linked immunospot and human leucocyte antigen tetramer assays with an immunodominant T-cell epitopeBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Mutsuko Ohnishi Summary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication for patients who received allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Accurate monitoring of CMV-specific T-cell reconstitution is required for appropriate decision on treatment, such as anti-viral drugs, which have adverse effects. Although human leucocyte antigen (HLA) tetramer and interferon- , -enzyme-linked immunospot (IFN- , -ELISPOT) assays have been used to measure CMV-specific T cells, detailed comparison of these assays and kinetics of anti-CMV T-cell reconstitution between reduced-intensity transplantation (RIST) and conventional HSCT has not yet been performed. In this study, we performed prospective comparative monitoring of CMV-specific T cells using HLA tetramer and IFN- , -ELISPOT assays with a single immunodominant CMV495 peptide in 28 HLA-A*0201 and 9 HLA-A*0206 patients after various allogeneic HSCTs. The IFN- , -ELISPOT assay was more sensitive for evaluation of functional T cells than the HLA tetramer assay, and CMV-specific T cells were reconstituted earlier in patients who received RIST without anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) than those receiving RIST with ATG or conventional HSCT. The threshold level for protection from CMV reactivation was estimated as over 1 × 106 cells/l peripheral blood with the IFN- , -ELISPOT assay. These results demonstrate that the IFN- , -ELISPOT assay with CMV495 provides more accurate evaluation on CMV immunity in HLA-A*0201 and -A*0206 patients, and may be useful for determining timing of various treatments. [source] Quality control of CD4+ T-lymphocyte enumeration: Results from the last 9 years of the United Kingdom national external quality assessment scheme for immune monitoring (1993,2001)CYTOMETRY, Issue 2 2002Liam Whitby Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) global epidemic has necessitated the routine enumeration of T-lymphocyte subsets, which has created a need for external quality assurance (EQA). The United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UK NEQAS) for Immune Monitoring provides EQA for 296 laboratories in 40 countries. In 1993, UK NEQAS developed and incorporated into its program stabilized whole blood that enables the accurate monitoring of laboratory performance. Overall, the mean interlaboratory coefficient of variation (CV) for percentage CD4+ T-lymphocyte subset enumeration has fallen from 15% to less than 5%, as a direct result of the increased use of CD45/ side scatter (SSC) gating. Laboratories using alternative gating strategies (i.e., CD45/CD14 or forward scatter [FSC]/SSC) were about 7.4 times more likely to fail an EQA exercise. Furthermore, the adoption of single-platform technology resulted in a reduction of the overall mean interlaboratory CV for absolute CD4+ T lymphocytes from 56% (prior to the widespread use of single-platform technology) to 9.7%. Individual laboratory deficiencies were also identified using a performance monitoring system and, through re-education by collaboration with the coordinating center, satisfactorily resolved. In conclusion, during the last 9 years, the UK NEQAS for Immune Monitoring program has highlighted the significant technological advances made by laboratories worldwide that undertake lymphocyte subset enumeration. Cytometry (Clin. Cytometry) 50:102,110, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Review article: the abdominal compartment syndromeALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2008S. M. LERNER Summary Background, The term abdominal compartment syndrome refers to hypoperfusion and ischaemia of intra-abdominal viscera and structures caused by raised intra-abdominal pressure. It occurs most commonly following major trauma and complex surgical procedures, but can also occur in their absence. Definitive treatment is decompression at laparotomy. Prevention and recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome are crucial to avoid additional morbidity and mortality. Postinjury abdominal compartment syndrome continues to complicate current resuscitation methods and new strategies for resuscitating critically ill patients need to be explored in addition to more accurate monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure. Aim, To examine the published literature regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of the abdominal compartment syndrome. Methods, A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. Results, This syndrome is an important complication of major trauma and surgery as well as being recognized in critically-ill medical patients. It requires prompt recognition with a view to decompression at laparotomy. Conclusions, The abdominal compartment syndrome is an important complication of trauma, surgery and resuscitation. Key to its management are its prompt recognition and abdominal decompression. [source] Assessment of body composition in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosisPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 10 2008Greg D. Wells PhD Abstract Rationale Cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to pathological changes in organs that express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), including secretory cells of the digestive tract and the pancreas. Maintaining nutritional sufficiency is challenging for CF patients and therefore accurate monitoring is important for their clinical management. Purpose The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of skinfold measurements as an accurate method for determining body composition (fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM)) of this population, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as a gold standard comparison and to determine the most accurate equation for this calculation in children with CF. Methods Fifty-five pediatric patients with CF participated in the study. FM and LBM calculated via four methods: Slaughter, Durnin, Durenberg (2-site and 4-site). The relationship between the methods and DEXA results were estimated by intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland and Altman analyses. Results The Slaughter method was the most accurate (ICC of 0.92 for FM and 0.99 for LBM) and displayed the least bias over the range of FM and LBM in CF patients. In addition, the results of Bland Altman analyses comparing each skinfold method to DEXA, revealed that the results were evenly distributed along the range of values for the Slaughter calculation, whereas the other three methods under and over estimated % fat results at the upper and lower ends of the range respectively. Conclusion We therefore conclude that the Slaughter method may be used for body composition assessment of pediatric CF patients. This provides clinical teams with a simple, accurate and non-invasive method that can be used to monitor nutritional status in pediatric patients with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1025,1032. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus reduces the cerebral tissue oxygenation index in preterm infants: a near-infrared spectroscopy and Doppler studyPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2006PATRIZIA ZARAMELLA Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligature on cerebral oxygen saturation, cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow velocity by means of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and transcranial Doppler simultaneous examinations. Methods: This is an observational study considering 16 babies of gestational age 24,34 weeks diagnosed with PDA who underwent surgical ligation. The cerebral oxygen saturation, CBV and blood gases values were obtained 35 min before ligation, so also around the 14th and 27th min after the clip's insertion. Results: Cerebral oxygen saturation, measured as tissue oxygenation index (TOI), decreased significantly after PDA ligation from a basal value of 61.1 (3.8) before surgery to 56.6 (3.3) and 55.8 (2.6)%, for the 14th and 27th min, respectively (P < 0.04). CBV before and after clipping was unvaried. A negative correlation was found between ,pH and ,CBV after ligation (R = 0.52, P = 0.03), whilst a positive correlation was found between ,CBV and ,PaCO2 (R = 0.62, P = 0.009). pH increased at the 27th min post-ligation. Conclusions: NIRS is a tool for obtaining information on cerebral oxygen saturation and CBV changes during surgical PDA ligation at the bedside. A fall in TOI suggests an increased oxygen extraction during PDA surgery. The lack of increase in ,CBV or in diastolic flow velocity show that the PDA before the clipping did not limit cerebral blood flow, the drop in TOI suggests increased oxygen consumption over the clip and the need for accurate monitoring of oxygen utilization after the surgical treatment. [source] Proteomic analysis of redox- and ErbB2-dependent changes in mammary luminal epithelial cells using cysteine- and lysine-labelling two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresisPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 11 2005Hong-Lin Chan Abstract Differential protein expression analysis based on modification of selected amino acids with labelling reagents has become the major method of choice for quantitative proteomics. One such methodology, two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), uses a matched set of fluorescent N -hydroxysuccinimidyl (NHS) ester cyanine dyes to label lysine residues in different samples which can be run simultaneously on the same gels. Here we report the use of iodoacetylated cyanine (ICy) dyes (for labelling of cysteine thiols, for 2-D DIGE-based redox proteomics. Characterisation of ICy dye labelling in relation to its stoichiometry, sensitivity and specificity is described, as well as comparison of ICy dye with NHS-Cy dye labelling and several protein staining methods. We have optimised conditions for labelling of nonreduced, denatured samples and report increased sensitivity for a subset of thiol-containing proteins, allowing accurate monitoring of redox-dependent thiol modifications and expression changes. Cysteine labelling was then combined with lysine labelling in a multiplex 2-D DIGE proteomic study of redox-dependent and ErbB2-dependent changes in epithelial cells exposed to oxidative stress. This study identifies differentially modified proteins involved in cellular redox regulation, protein folding, proliferative suppression, glycolysis and cytoskeletal organisation, revealing the complexity of the response to oxidative stress and the impact that overexpression of ErbB2 has on this response. [source] A method for determination of fruit-derived ascorbic, tartaric, oxalic and malic acids, and its application to the study of ascorbic acid catabolism in grapevinesAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GRAPE AND WINE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009V.J. MELINO Abstract Background and Aims:, The majority of the acidity of a grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berry is a result of the accumulation of l -tartaric (TA) and l -malic acids (MA). TA is synthesised from l -ascorbic acid (Asc, vitamin C), the metabolism of which is poorly characterised in grapevines. In a distinct pathway, oxalic acid (OA) is also formed from Asc degradation. The aim of this study was to develop a single method whereby the distribution of Asc and its catabolites from fruit and vegetative sources could be determined. Methods and Results:, Effective recoveries of total Asc, TA, OA and MA were achieved with this extraction method, while chromatographic separation was accomplished with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). These results demonstrate that Asc and its catabolites TA and OA rapidly accumulate in immature berries, and that the Asc to dehydroascorbate ratio increases with berry maturity. Conclusions:, A method for the simultaneous analysis of Asc, TA, OA and MA in fruits is provided; moreover, we have demonstrated its use to study their distribution in fruits, rachis, leaves and roots. Significance of the Study:, This method enables accurate monitoring of the accumulation of Asc, permitting further research towards understanding acid metabolism during berry ripening. [source] | |||||||||||||